Reviews

Confessions in B-Flat by Donna Hill

cydneyhumphrey's review against another edition

emotional informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I thought this story was a bit heavy-handed in its message at time, but at its core, Confessions in B-Flat is a masterful historical fiction paralleling the plight of two Black Americans—one who aligns with Malcolm X and one who aligns with Martin Luther King Jr. Despite their differences, they learn to compromise and ultimately a sweeping love story occurs that was a joy to read.

3.5 ⭐️s

ralen356's review against another edition

I do really like the main couple, but I really couldn't see how they could be together with their contradicting beliefs.
Am I saying they can't be a couple? No, but they need to stop trying to convert the other person, and respect the others' opinion. Even then, I find it hard to believe that a couple with such differing core beliefs could work well together. I mean it's not like they are disagreeing on their favorite food, but rather the civil rights movement itself. And they just keep butting heads, and then getting all lovey dovey as if nothing happened. Now, I didn't actually finish the book, so it's possible they came to a consensus, but I don't think I have the patience to wait for them to sort out their issues.

tiea's review against another edition

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.5

bookishlifeofbrie's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

jodeezle's review against another edition

3.0

I have to admit that I picked thisbook becauseof the author and the cover. But I was very pleased with this book. It caught me from the very beginning. This story taught me things abou the civil rights movement that I had never heard of. I talked to my family about them and they confirmed some things. The history and research were a wonderful help in bringing the story to life. I enjoyed watching Anita and Jason figure out what was important to them.
I've read other books by Donna Hill and again she did not let me down. Definitely will recommend this book to friends and family.

This book was received in exchange for an honest review.

stephltorres's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

reallyintoreading's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

curiouslykatt's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Confessions in B-Flat take us to Harlem, New York in 1963. We have Anita Hopkins who is following the teachings of Malcolm X, meanwhile Jason is pulling up roots from Atlanta and moving to New York to help spread the gospel of Martin Luther King Jr. Knowing this you can see where this story might be going. You have a “by any means necessary” approach versus a passive resistance approach. Ultimately striving for the same goal, but two very different paths. 

This was probably a bad timing read for me and I even mentioned to our bookclub host I’ll be actively picking up some other books because ya girl needs a reprieve. With that being said I don’t know how to review this one. I’m not mad I read it. I’m not happy I read it. I just read it. I can see a lot of the bookclub readers really enjoying this one. 

I will say the historical inaccuracies were a bit of a miss for me, but I don’t think a lot of readers will actually pick up on the minutiae the same way. Like how many people are going to notice that answering machines weren’t common until the 80s but a poor beat poet/waitress has one? How many people will screech halt when Anita and Jason take a plane ride and she’s shocked he’s never been on a plane... In the 1960s... How many people will reflect on bell bottoms, which weren’t common until the later 60s/ early 70s. 

I’ll be honest it was probably my brain focusing on these acting as a padded wall for my sanity. 

I read the book. I got it off my shelf. We’ll call it a win. 

katieinqueens's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

kay_reads_books6's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What first captured me to read this book was the synopsis of a civil rights romance read. I came for the historical fiction and stayed for the romance.

How Anita and Jason came to be was so different and unique. I really enjoyed this story. What threw me off was the transitions in the book. I'm not sure if that was because I listened to the audiobook. But the narrators did so well!

Also, the mention of cassette tapes in this time frame threw me off, as well. That wasn't for about another 20 more years. 

Other than those 2 things, I really enjoyed this story of 2 different people fighting for the same thing, but in different ways.